KentOnline

More Covidiots have been fined after being caught breaking lockdown rules in Kent.
Among the latest to get a telling off by police were a couple who needed rescuing from mud in Sheerness after travelling from London for a walk.
Also in today’s podcast, hear what some business owners in Kent want the Chancellor to say in tomorrow’s budget.
A Kent man has filmed his journey on part of the A2 and counted the number of potholes as he went – find out why Josh Magill is so concerned about the road.
And, there are calls for this year’s Kent Test to be cancelled and teacher assessment to be used instead.

The cost of a train ticket in Kent has gone up above inflation for the first time since 2014.
The price hike normally comes into force in January but was delayed because of the pandemic.
But some claim key workers will be hit hardest. We’ve been speaking to We Own It which campaigns against privatisation of public services.
Also in today’s podcast, we have analysis and advice for parents as 10 and 11 year-olds find out which secondary school they’ll be going to in September.
A man who spent years on the streets and now works for Emmaus Dover has been telling his incredible story.
And, there’s a Golden Globe for the Kent actor who played Princess Diana in The Crown.

The families of two men who died after contracting coronavirus at Kent’s biggest hospital have reacted to the A&E department being rated inadequate.
We told you yesterday how inspectors had raised concerns about patients being left for too long in ambulances and care not being escalated quickly enough when necessary.
They were also worried about infection control.
Amanda Baker’s father and Samantha Tucker’s husband died at the hospital last November – they have spoken out.
Also in today’s podcast, as a man and woman start life sentences for murdering a homeless man in Dover, hear from the officer who led the investigation.
A box of keepsakes that belonged to Charles Darwin’s children is going to be going on display at his home in Kent.
And, we look ahead to Gillingham’s trip to Fratton Park to take on Portsmouth this weekend.

The emergency department at Kent’s biggest hospital as been rated inadequate.
Inspectors visited A&E at Medway Maritime in Gillingham in December.
In today’s podcast, hear from the Care Quality Commission and a local GP.
We’ve got reaction to new data showing how many people are sleeping rough in Kent.
Parents are being warned about an online chat site that’s becoming increasingly popular with children.
And it’s the end of the season for a number of football clubs in Kent after their seasons were declared null and void – reporter Luke Cawdell has the latest.

A treasurer who stole more than £37,000 from a Kent pre-school has avoided being sent to prison.
Kerry Goldsmith, 49 of Laurence Close, Bapchild, was taking the money from the Owl and pussycat pre-school in the village near Sittingbourne.
The charity chairperson has spoken to the KentOnline Podcast about the impact it’s had.
Also in today’s episode, there are more calls for the result of Covid surge testing in part of Kent to be made public.
A mum shares her experience of having a baby during the pandemic.
And in sport, we hear from the Gillingham manager following their 1-0 defeat at AFC Wimbledon.

The owners of a soft play centre that has only been able to open for six weeks in the past year, are calling for support to be made available in next week’s budget.
Elizabeth and Andrew Moody run Adventure Kidz in Aylesford which has been shut during most of the pandemic.
The roadmap out of lockdown announced yesterday by the Prime Minister will see them have to stay closed until at least May.
Also in today’s podcast, a leading Kent scientist says he hopes the roadmap will prevent future lockdowns.
Hear from Ella Henderson and Tom Grennan who’ve been chatting to our sister radio station kmfm.
And we look ahead to Gillingham’s game at AFC Wimbledon tonight.

The Prime Minister has set out the government’s roadmap for coming out of lockdown.
As expected, Boris Johnson has confirmed all schools will reopen on March 8.
Other key dates for venues to reopen and more socialising to happen have been announced between now and June.
But, it’s only if certain criteria linked to Covid data are met.
Also in today’s podcast, hear from the boys who have already passed GCSE maths several years early.
Gillingham’s assistant boss reacts to their win over Bristol Rovers at the weekend.
And we hear from one of the Kent cricketers on training during lockdown.

12 people have been arrested following police raids in Kent and London tackling the exploitation of sex workers.
Officers have searched eight properties in areas including Canterbury and Maidstone this week.
Also in the podcast, a foster carer in Medway says she ‘doesn’t feel at all safe’ – because she is not classed as a ‘critical worker’.
And, financial help is on the way for grassroots sports clubs after being heavily affected by the pandemic. 

A Kent MP has suggested care home visits could go ahead even if residents have not yet received their second Covid-19 vaccine.
Helen Whately, Faversham and Mid Kent MP and Social Care minister, said she is determined to restart face-to-face visits as the UK begins to ease out of the third lockdown.
Also in the podcast, hear from a scientist who says there’s no data to show crowded beaches last summer led to any coronavirus outbreaks.
The brother of a woman who died in a car crash on the A21 is calling for an urgent safety inspection so others do not suffer the same fate. 
And, occasional users of DART Charge are losing money due to a sudden cancellation of their logins. 

Residents in Maidstone are still awaiting results from Covid-19 surge testing in the area, which was completed more than 10 days ago.
A council leader says he was told that analysis to see if they were the South African variant would take four days – but only around a quarter have been sequenced so far. 
Also in the podcast, a man has been convicted after spitting at a traffic warden and claiming he had coronavirus.
And, we look at the three Kent football teams considering putting players and staff on furlough unless they get extra funding.